Tim's MkIV R32 Thread

[Cortexiphan]

Mods:

Exterior:
-DWA Horn
-Euro Spec Tail Lights w/ Rear Fog
-Euro Mk6 OEM GTI LED License Plate Lights
-Blind Spot Mirrors
-Polo Rear Wiper
-Window Tint

Interior Electronics:
-Interior Monitoring
-Custom Homelink Garage Door Opener
-Euroswitch with Rear Fog Indicator
-KeyFob Window Control
-Comfort Blinker
-Cluster Lit Needles
-OEM iPod Integration

Interior:
-Climate Controlled Glovebox
-Gorilla Gear Trunk Liner

Engine:
-United Motorsports Tune

__________________________________________________ ________________________________


Index:

Entries
-Entry #001: Introduction, minor cosmetic mods
-Entry #002: OEM iPod Integration Installed
-Entry #003: Custom Homelink Installed
-Entry #004: WitW.11
-Entry #005: New wheel and 4 tires.
-Entry #006: Blind spot mirrors and Gorilla Gear Trunk Liner
-Entry #007: Euro Spec Tail Lights, Light Switch, and Rear-Fog Light 5,896
-Entry #008: Rolling Shots 6,397
-Entry #009: AutoCross One 6,717
-Entry #010: Window Tint 7,152
-Entry #011: Rear Fog Indicator on EuroSwitch 8,957
-Entry #012: One Year of Ownership 9,873
-Entry #013: Interior Monitoring Parts Arrived11,262
-Entry #014: Climate Controlled Glovebox Installed 13,804
-Entry #015: OEM Euro Mk6 LED Plate Lights 19,302
-Entry #016: Interior Monitoring and DWA Horn Install Completed! 19,830
-Entry #017: Cluster Lit Needles 25,817
-Entry #018: The End of An Era 29,872

In-Betweens
-More on polo rear-wiper conversion
-Some .:R32 "Swag"

Picture Threads
-Factory Finish (Photoshoot 1)
-I am not your magic carpet ride (Photoshoot 2)
-10,000 (Ethan Watson)

How To's I've Written
-DIY: Custom Homelink Install * Good Alternative to Homelink Visor *
-How To: Embedding pictures from flickr.

__________________________________________________ ________________________________




Entry #001

I bought the caR October 30th, 2010 its a 2004 (MkIV) Deep Blue Pearl (DBP) .:R32.

When I took ownership she had 38,388 miles on her and she was completely stock.

Here are some pics of the day I bought her:

In my driveway (thats me standing there)


Previous owner had a set of BBS wheels on there, they looked ugly so I asked him to move the tires to the Aristos before I bought the car, he did but you can tell the front driver side tire was flat .

Anyway more pics:



After some spirited driving


__________________________________________________ ____________________________

So anyway a short list of things that I need to fix.
-The front bumper has these waves in it where it meets up with the fender, and it annoys me.
-The drivers door had a dent in it I guess, and they fixed it but you can still see it a tiny tiny bit.
-You need to pull the drivers door handle twice to open the door after unlocking.
-The passenger side side-skirt has a half inch wide very deep scratch the entire length of the side skirt, so I'm going to get that fixed.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

So I've done a few small updates to the car. Although I told myself I wouldn't spend money on her till the spring. I gave in and bought her some goodies.

__________________________________________________ _

The List of goodies I bought her
-Smoked Fender Repeaters
-Smoked Running Lights
-Polo Rear Wiper Kit
-Comfort Blinker
-Flat Head License Plate Bolts
__________________________________________________ _

So A little review on everything I bought.

-Smoked Fender Repeaters & Running Lights: They look good, really good. The light out-put is definitely less but I guess I was expecting that anyway, at least I don't have a random orange splodge on my front bumper anymore, haha.

So I have had them in for a few days now, and it seems the fender repeaters are trapping water inside them. Called up ECS Tuning and they will ship out a new pair to me . All's well that ends well.

-Polo Rear Wiper Kit: Another very clean, subtle mod for the .:R32. I feel like the whole car looks like it was designed in 2008. And the fact that the stock rear-wiper had that out-dated look to it really bothered me. The look that I got from the polo-rear wiper its clean and looks up-to-date like the rest of the car. Ties in well. I have however discovered that I'm having a problem snapping the cap down? Is it just me? Any ideas?

-Comfort Blinker: With a little help from the DIY in the MkIV forum. This was really easy to install, once I had actually figured how to get the vent surround out. I think that part took a good fifteen minutes. I am very happy with the result.

-License Plate Bolts: I haven't fitted these yet because they are to thick for the holes the previous owner drilled into the bumper .

Here's a pic to show how the smoked lights look:



And a list of things to do when spring rolls around, the salt goes away, and the caR hits 40k miles

Heres a list of what I will be servicing.

-Haldex System (AWD) Oil & Filter change
-Engine Oil & Filter change
-Trans lube change
-Rear-differential fluid change
-Replace air filter with K&N drop-in
-New Cabin Filter
-Fuel Filter Replacement
-New Spark Plugs
-rotate, balance, and wheel alignment
-Full Coolant Flush ( Will be done at Fox VW in Rochester )
-Full Brake Fluid Flush ( Also to be done at Fox VW )
-Inspect serpentine belt & tensioner


-Tim

[PSU]

[vwgeorge2]

[iTTRS]

I will be back in the summer. Maybe if i am not busy we can work on it on weekends?
That being that you haven't gone into overdrive in the spring working on it.

[nkgneto]

Congrats!

[PowerDubs]

Things to make sure are updated-

coolant temp sensor
brake light switch
coil packs

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How much is the comfort blinker mod? After having this on my phaeton, I'd like to have it on my R as well.


You should do a headlight relay kit, it is pretty cheap and makes a really nice difference.

[Cortexiphan]

Thanks everyone!

@iTTRS: we will definitely be working on the car in spring can't wait for you to get your camera. We need to take some legit photo's!

Things to make sure are updated-

coolant temp sensor
brake light switch
coil packs

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How much is the comfort blinker mod? After having this on my phaeton, I'd like to have it on my R as well.


You should do a headlight relay kit, it is pretty cheap and makes a really nice difference.

Thanks I'll add those to the list! I got the coil-packs done under recall at my dealership.

The comfort blinker was $54.52 at ECS Tuning. Both my parents cars have it, and I got so used to it. It was a must have for the .:R, took me about 30 minutes to install, hardest part was to get the vent surround out.

What is the headlight relay kit?

[PSU]

The comfort blinker was $54.52 at ECS Tuning. Both my parents cars have it, and I got so used to it. It was a must have for the .:R, took me about 30 minutes to install, hardest part was to get the vent surround out.

This is a must.

It's standard on the MKVs... Every time I drive my Civic or Cobra, I look like an idiot when I push the stalk down half way and nothing happens.

[4motionvr6dub]

I bought the caR October 30th, 2010

Same exact date I bought mine

[WiseDubbinVR]

Awesome find on your R my friend! That thing is super clean and I really like the direction you are going with it. Maintenance is the first thing you should be concerned about and it seems like you have figured that out

Regarding the front bumper waves, I believe all the .:R's had this problem. I know mine does at least and it bothers the hell out of me. I think there was a recall on them a while ago but it is no longer open? Anyways, I'll be looking to see how you take care of that (cost, etc.).

[johnnyR32]

[R32Freddie]

Good luck with the car!!!! Welcome to the R family.

[Cortexiphan]

This is a must.

It's standard on the MKVs... Every time I drive my Civic or Cobra, I look like an idiot when I push the stalk down half way and nothing happens.

I totally know what you mean. Whenever I get into a car that doesn't have it. I press this stalk down just enough to make the turn signal flicker...

Same exact date I bought mine

Haha, thats awesome! Congrats on your purchase

Awesome find on your R my friend! That thing is super clean and I really like the direction you are going with it. Maintenance is the first thing you should be concerned about and it seems like you have figured that out

Regarding the front bumper waves, I believe all the .:R's had this problem. I know mine does at least and it bothers the hell out of me. I think there was a recall on them a while ago but it is no longer open? Anyways, I'll be looking to see how you take care of that (cost, etc.).

Haha thanks man! Yeah maintenance is key. I want to make sure the car is sound before I change anything.

Is this what people refer to as "bumper ripples"? or is that something else?

Good luck with the car!!!! Welcome to the R family.

Thanks man!

-Tim

[BOUDAH]

Those would be bumper ripples. I have them too. Ill be taking care of this before its painted. I like the direction of this thread. So to you.

[eastcoaststeeze]

nice

[FigureFive]

Nice find. I got mine in May with 37k miles on it.

I did the Polo wiper as well, but the cap snapped on just fine for me. You can trim the base a little bit were it currently makes contact with the window to get a tighter fit.

[dainese]

Nice!

Welcome to the club too!

[tonedeaf420]

Nice R man, looks real clean. Congrats

Any pics of the polo wiper? I'm thinking about doing this or just doing the wiper delete. I did the wiper delete on my last car(mk4 gti) and I loved the look. Not sure what to do yet.

[R Line]

[WiseDubbinVR]

Any pics of the polo wiper? I'm thinking about doing this or just doing the wiper delete. I did the wiper delete on my last car(mk4 gti) and I loved the look. Not sure what to do yet.

I'm in the same boat as you. I think i'm going to go with the delete once the weather gets a bit nicer. I think it looks really clean on the rear of the .:R. Polo wiper looks really clean too though!

[Cortexiphan]

Those would be bumper ripples. I have them too. Ill be taking care of this before its painted. I like the direction of this thread. So to you.

Okay good to know. Is buying a new bumper the only way to fix it?

And thanks! I'll be posting more in spring when I actually have a source of income again and I have stuff to fix on the car.

nice

Nice find. I got mine in May with 37k miles on it.

I did the Polo wiper as well, but the cap snapped on just fine for me. You can trim the base a little bit were it currently makes contact with the window to get a tighter fit.

Very nice! my two main goals were low milage and DBP haha

Yes, thats what I've heard, and as soon as its not 10 degrees outside I'll be cleaning up the garage and sanding the cap down

Nice!

Welcome to the club too!

its good to be here

Nice R man, looks real clean. Congrats

Any pics of the polo wiper? I'm thinking about doing this or just doing the wiper delete. I did the wiper delete on my last car(mk4 gti) and I loved the look. Not sure what to do yet.

I don't like the rear-wiper delete, as it rains very often where I am and I get worried when I can't see out of the back of my car. That being said, the stock wiper looks completely outdated compared to the rest of the car, so I felt the polo conversion was a great mod

Also I'm at college right now, When I go home over the weekend I'll be sure to take some pictures for you

I'm in the same boat as you. I think i'm going to go with the delete once the weather gets a bit nicer. I think it looks really clean on the rear of the .:R. Polo wiper looks really clean too though!

As I said above, I don't like the delete because it makes it hard to see out of the back window. The polo conversion definitely increased the look of the back 10 fold. I'll eventually (when I can justify spending $50 ) be buying LEDs for the license plate lights.

-Tim

[BOUDAH]

Also..i miss my komfort blinker. After the car gets back from the shop in a few weeks ill be adding this. So thankyou for reminding me, lol

As far as the ripples go..honestly i dont know. I dont see why you culdnt jsut sand it and then fill/ gaze it. Im sure i should consider this before i go to get it painted.

[tonedeaf420]

I don't like the rear-wiper delete, as it rains very often where I am and I get worried when I can't see out of the back of my car. That being said, the stock wiper looks completely outdated compared to the rest of the car, so I felt the polo conversion was a great mod

Also I'm at college right now, When I go home over the weekend I'll be sure to take some pictures for you

I thought the same thing when I was thinking of doing the rear wiper delete on my GTI. But I did it anyway and I'll be honest, I had no problem seeing out my rear window. When its raining or snowing out, the other cars have their headlights on(well they should) and you can see the lights behind you and visibility is not as bad as you would think.

But I'm probably going to end up doing the polo wiper and if I end up wanting to do the wiper delete down the road, I could always sell the thing. And sounds good for the pictures

[BOUDAH]

I thought the same thing when I was thinking of doing the rear wiper delete on my GTI. But I did it anyway and I'll be honest, I had no problem seeing out my rear window. When its raining or snowing out, the other cars have their headlights on(well they should) and you can see the lights behind you and visibility is not as bad as you would think.

But I'm probably going to end up doing the polo wiper and if I end up wanting to do the wiper delete down the road, I could always sell the thing. And sounds good for the pictures

Speaking of bad weather..have you put any thought into a rear fog light? I wanna do this too as i know people can hear me, but i worry about them seeing me on the interstate in heavy rain or snow...

[tonedeaf420]

Speaking of bad weather..have you put any thought into a rear fog light? I wanna do this too as i know people can hear me, but i worry about them seeing me on the interstate in heavy rain or snow...

yea i thought about it and im still unsure if i want to do it. i think it looks a little weird when you have it on. It kinda looks like your other taillight is out. but then again, i would only turn it on in inclement weather so "looks" are not as important as safety. which is why im also leaning towards the polo wiper.

[Cortexiphan]

I have also seriously considered retrofitting the rear-fog, as safety is a great concern.

As far as the ripples go..honestly i dont know. I dont see why you culdnt jsut sand it and then fill/ gaze it. Im sure i should consider this before i go to get it painted.

You should let me know when you eventually find a solution.

-Tim

[Cortexiphan]

...Any pics of the polo wiper?...

So I took pics of the polo wiper this weekend.









And a pic of the daily driver:

[tonedeaf420]

Thank you sir!

Looks good, I am definitely going to get one of these

I need to get a daily too. I don't even care if its a POS, I just want something to beat around and so I don't rack up as much miles on my R.

[BOUDAH]

never actually seen the polo wiper...i like that.

[WiseDubbinVR]

Looks nice and clean

[Cortexiphan]

Thank you sir!

Looks good, I am definitely going to get one of these

I need to get a daily too. I don't even care if its a POS, I just want something to beat around and so I don't rack up as much miles on my R.

never actually seen the polo wiper...i like that.

Looks nice and clean

Thanks guys! I enjoy mods that have form and function.

So thats probably the theme/direction I will be taking my car.

and keeping on topic with that. My next mod is homelink system for the R32

I have always loved the built in garage door opener on my mothers Jeep, and I really wanted this feature for the .:R. So with some searching I came up with this solution. In my opinion its even better than the homelink visor. About $30 off of eBay and takes less than 30 minutes to install.

Best of all it looks completely OEM.

pic borrowed from Steve99's thread


Definitely going to enjoy this mod, and I'll let you guys know how it works out.

[PSU]

Any updates?

[PSU]

^.

[Zach!]

Can I get a link to the garage door opener?

[horribleR]

Can I get a link to the garage door opener?

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=homelink This?